Page 23 of The Duke's Indecent Match
Lady Kari hardly needed assistance, despite her riding skirts.Cupping his hands for her to step one delicate heel into, he lifted her anyway.She settled into the saddle easily, smiling at him with appreciation.
“Thank you so much, Your Grace.”
“My pleasure, Lady Kari.”
By the time the rest of the company was seated on their mounts, including Nathanial, Christian and Miss Little were well out of sight.They had to stay along the roads, while the rest of them were going to be going across the fields, so it was very likely they would arrive at the ruins after everyone else.Unless Christian drove particularly recklessly.
He had better not.
Not with Miss Little seated at his side, equally in danger of whatever maneuver Christian might make.
Sudden worry surged.
Nathanial would be worried for any young lady under such circumstances, of course.Christian was not the most reliable of the dukes present.
“I can mount a damn horse myself.”Lady Astrid’s sharp tones jerked Nathanial’s gaze away from the road where Christian and Miss Little had disappeared.Everyone was now looking at the lady, as she did indeed get into the saddle herself, revealing that she was wearing the split riding skirts favored by the Scottish.
Standing beside the big bay she was now atop of, Drake appeared to be particularly aggrieved, scowling up at his betrothed.
Nose in the air, she ignored him, kicking her horse into a gallop and directing the steed to the opening in the gate, leaving Drake in her dust—at least momentarily.Whooping, Matthew followed immediately after her, Sebastian only just behind him, shooting a glance back at Drake that promised he would look after Lady Astrid until Drake could join them.
Nathanial waited until everyone else had passed and brought up the rear with a clearly seething Drake.
“Damnable females,” Drake muttered as Nathanial brought his mount alongside his.
They were moving at a trot, not a gallop.He wondered if it was because Drake refused to give the impression that he was chasing after Lady Astrid, even though there was no one there to see him but Nathanial.
They rode in silence, slowly gaining on the group ahead of them.While they had started at a gallop, they eventually slowed to a walk, allowing Drake and Nathanial to catch up.Lady Astrid remained in front, Sebastian at her side, and they appeared to be chatting amiably enough.
Drake did not seem disposed to conversation, which suited Nathanial perfectly.Unfortunately, the ladies were not of the same mind, and it did not take long before Lady Nichole had dropped back between him and Drake.She was determined to make conversation, but Drake was not cooperative, which meant she ended up focusing her efforts on Nathanial.
“I am so glad the weather is good for an outing today,” she said, smiling at him and tipping her head in a coquettish manner.“I do so love to ride.”
“It is fortuitous,” he agreed.“I have not been able to take a ride like this in far too long.”
“It is difficult during the Season,” she said sympathetically.“Hyde Park is hardly conducive to anything more strenuous than a walk.”
That, and he did not have any horses to ride.They had all been sold off to pay his father’s debts.
But he could hardly say so.
Instead, he acted as though that was exactly what he’d meant and nodded his head in agreement.Lady Nichole was a skilled conversationalist, easily taking him through the usual topics as they rode.She even managed to coax Drake into adding a sentence or two to the conversation, despite his obvious preoccupation with glaring at the back of Lady Astrid’s head.
When they reached the ruins, Lady Nichole let out a low gasp.
“Oh, my… it’s beautiful!”
Nathanial cast a look over the green rolling hills where the stones rose up from the lush grass.Ivy dotted the crumbling buildings, and the windows were long gone except for a single stained-glass rose in a pane above where the doors formerly admitted congregants.A large willow tree dramatically draped its branches beside the old church, the long fronds stirring in the wind.More trees were visible beyond the building, along with overgrown bushes and a riot of flowers that had spread out from their old beds.
The sun hung high in the sky, casting shadows across the ground that contrasted with all the brightly colored foliage.It was indeed beautiful.
Yet he could not appreciate the view when the back of his neck was prickling, wondering when Christian and Miss Little were going to make their appearance.He glanced back at the drive, which ended in a curve where it met the road.They would not be able to see the curricle until it was nearly upon the ruins.
The urge to ride to the end of it and cast a look down the road was strong, but he could not think of a reason that would pass muster.No one else was concerned about Christian and Miss Little’s slower appearance.Especially because they already knew it would take the curricle longer to make its way.
Though Christian could also be dawdling.Taking longer than necessary.Deliberately giving himself more time alone with Miss Little in a manner that was socially acceptable.
His mount danced to the side, and Nathanial realized he was sitting far too stiffly in the saddle, grinding his teeth together.Giving himself a shake, he opened his mouth, and his jaw popped somewhat painfully as he forced himself to relax.Lady Nichole was giving him a sidelong glance, as though she worried he was going to lose control of his mount.
